CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Ed Burke, Chicago’s longest serving alderman, was sentenced to two years in federal prison and fined $2 million after he was found guilty of corruption charges in December 2023.
Burke, who grew to be one of the city’s most powerful politicians over his 50 years in office, was convicted of using his city hall power and clout to steer business toward his property-tax appeals law firm.
After more than five-and-a-half hours of testimony from witnesses, prosecutors and Burke’s attorneys, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall said Burke’s crimes “exemplify what leads to an erosion of the public trust necessary for a stable democracy.”
Those crimes, though, were weighed against the former alderman’s age, Kendall said. At 80 years old, she noted that he would need constant care for serious health issues.
The judge also said she had never before seen the amount of letters that were sent in support of Burke — about 200, including many from ordinary citizens that spoke of Burke’s unsolicited, small acts of kindness. Residents shared stories of the former alderman attending funerals or driving them to a medical appointment.
During testimony, Burke’s attorneys requested Kendall hand down a sentence with no prison time. They argued that the 80-year-old is in the twilight of his life and has given so much of himself to the city's residents for so many years.
Prosecutors pushed for a maximum sentence of eight years. On the topic of Burke's age, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker argued that it did “nothing to deter him from committing the crimes, and it should not absolve him of punishment.”
Kendall said her decision to go with a two-year sentence was made, in part, because of Burke’s ability to pay such a substantial fine of $2 million. She added that the fines go toward a fund for the victims of crime.
One political expert, though, said a tougher sentence for Burke would have sent a stronger message about public corruption in Chicago and the state of Illinois.
Constance Mixon, a political science professor at Elmhurst University, said she expected to see Burke sentenced to more than two years in federal prison because of the seriousness of his crimes.
“I had also thought that the judge might impose a more lengthy sentence in part to serve as a means of deterrence,” she said.
Mixon, who was an expert witness at the beginning of this trial, said she thinks a harsher sentence might remind other politicians of what can happen to corrupt officials. She also admitted, though, that former governors Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan got longer sentences — and corruption continues.
Burke was ordered to report to prison by Sept. 23, 2024. His attorneys requested that he be sent to a prison in Oxford, Wis.
Lawyers for Burke have also appealed his conviction and are hoping that an expected U.S. Supreme Court ruling could give them an opening to have some of his charges dropped.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok